If you ever have a chance to fly fish at Maligne Lake, GO! It is a spectacular place. Doug, Karen and I spent the last three days fly fishing and camping at Maligne Lake. We were lucky to get a two night camping spot at Maligne Lake. That was perhaps the toughest thing about having a multiday trip with camping on the lake. There are 3 camping areas on the lake but you have to get a reservation from Parks Canada. If you are lucky enough to get a spot on the lake, then you hope the weather cooperates!
We decided to drive up leaving at 5 am and by 10:30 am, we were on the water with our tent, sleeping bags, stove, food and of course fly fishing gear! It was sobering to see the devastation of the Jasper fires as we drove up the 40 km Maligne Lake Road!
We paddled up the lake on a light tail wind. After setting up camp, we got our 6 weight fly rods all set up! We figured it would be chironomid time and we were right! Karen fly fished with the same Rusty Nail chironomid for the next few days. It definitely was our best fly. We fished several drop offs with lots of success.
Camping on the lake is fantastic! The designated campsites are well appointed. We had to bring our own firewood but that is a minor inconvenience! Our first evening included rain , thunder, wind then perfect evening weather. Typical mountain weather! We had to bundle up the first night! The thermometer dove down to 3C! Burr!
Our second day on the water started off foggy with near zero visibility but as the fog burned off, the day turned spectacular!
We caught lots of brook trout and rainbows. We did keep two rainbows for supper the second night! That was a real treat!
I have always said that pictures speak louder than words. Take a look at one beautiful place to fly fish!
Brook trout are abundant in Maligne Lake
A foggy day two turned spectacular!
Trout for supper!
